New Zealand based band Surf City has returned with their latest album, We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This, a bolder and more reassured patchwork of mellow surfer jams. Between the rhythmic guitar riffs and the billowing bass lines, this group shows signs of finding their unique musical groove. The chilled-out vibe of Surf City meshes perfectly with the changing seasons, making it the go to end of summer soundtrack.
If there's one important thing to note about Surf City's evolution between 2010's Kudos and this new album, it would be the deeper lyrical content. Lead vocalist Davin Stoddard wistfully sings about love, desolation, delirium, and everything in between. Album opener, "It's A Common Life," not only starts off the record with a towering bundle of distortion, but also throws in some skillful guitar riffs. "I Had the Starring Role" transitions smoothly with an infectious vocal delivery of background "oooh's," which are filled out with the smashing plucks of a metal guitar. Adding to the record's irresistibility is how well the songs go together, especially the soothingly tranquil moments of "Oceanic Graphs Of The Wilderness" and "I Want You", which counters the previous tracks.
Out of all the tracks, "NYC" sees Surf City orchestrating the catchiest batch of instrumentals with the steady pounding of a drum lightly floating over the various strings parts. Surf City compels listeners to pay attention with heartfelt lyrics of feeling alienated and alone. In "Song From A Short-Lived TV Series," the vocals have a light, fuzzed-up effect that lends to the track's retro feeling. These songs show Surf City as being carefree and breezy, yet the adjoining instrumentals add enough texture to give their songs depth.
Overall, We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This plays off several different genres that ultimately come together for a weightless feeling record. Stoddard impresses by restraining his vocal talents when needed and soaring his falsetto above normal bounds appropriately. Surf City follows up their debut album with a record that adds to their total sound without compromising any of their originality.
Grade: B
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